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No sale
The effects of the virus are far-reaching in their economic impacts. Before the virus struck, home sales were progressing well above the level of last year. Now, however, the whole process of selling a house has changed as people take virus precautions.
stores are closed
Restaurants, movie theaters, bars, churches, and most shops have closed in Tulsa. This has all happened in a period of less than 10 days. Dillards in the Tulsa Promenade is a store still open, but at the time I passed by this afternoon there were no customers to be seen. ( At a later point, after this photo was taken, a municipal edict closed nonessential retail establishments.)
politics takes on an unknown face
As the virus struck, we were in the middle of campaigns in two school district elections for the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education. The runoff election for the school board has been postponed, and no date for the election has been announced at the time of this writing. Tulsans are faced with the prospect of a whole different kind of political process for this year's elections. Without face-to-face contact, and without people working together in person, what will campaigns look like?
closings without historic precedent
Ike's Chili is perhaps Tulsa's oldest restaurant, although it has had several different locations. It was established in 1908. During its many years of existence, it has never faced a period of forced closure like it is suffering during the pandemic.
pervasive effects
This is a neighborhood book lending box, and it is affected by the virus too. Because of hygiene warnings to avoid unnecessary touching things that have been touched by other people, the book box is going unused.
empty shelves
Eager shoppers, fearful of shortages, empty store shelves. In this case, all the bottled water is gone, as if the coronavirus might dry up Tulsa's water source.
unknown economic damage
One of the greatest impacts of the virus is economic. Offices closed, stores shuttered, plants idle, and people out of work. Downtown Tulsa has seen many different kinds of ups and downs of the economy, but nothing like the current experience. The damage that will be produced by the virus is unknown.
the buses are still running
Buses and trains were once the primary intercity forms of transportation in America. Since airline deregulation in the 1970s, flying by plane has become much cheaper and more popular. With aviation severely cut back by the virus, the intercity bus has resumed a role of importance.
municipal revenues sharply decline
Railroad tank cars heading to Tulsa refineries are pictured here with City Hall in the background. It will be the job of our leaders at City Hall to deal with the shock to our local economy from the precipitous decline in energy prices. The drop in oil prices means reduced revenues for city and state government, and a weakened financial position from which the battle the local effects of the virus.
the vulnerable are especially affected
The homeless are brutally affected by the downturn, and social service agencies are overwhelmed by the increased demands. In this photo we see a man taking a nap not far from the Iron Gate building that offers meals to the hungry.